Methods And Apparatus For Use In Controlling Scanning Operations In A Mobile Communication Device

ABSTRACT

Techniques for use in a mobile device for controlling scanning operations are described. A calendar application is stored in memory of the mobile device. The calendar application is configured to store calendar appointment data associated one or more appointments. In response to identifying an imminent appointment for a communication session when the mobile device is out-of-coverage, the mobile device performs a scanning operation for identifying a wireless network for communications.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.non-provisional patent application having application Ser. No.11/567,009 and filing date of 5 Dec. 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. ______,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Technology

The present disclosure relates generally to mobile stations whichoperate in wireless communication networks, and more particularly tomethods and apparatus for controlling a scanning procedure of suchmobile stations.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones or mobileelectronic mail (e-mail) devices, sometimes experience poor or noservice under certain degraded radio frequency (RF) coverage conditions.In these conditions, a user of the mobile device may be unaware of thepoor or no service and unwittingly attempt to initiate a voice call fromthe mobile device. In this situation, the voice call request will bedenied. The user may not immediately be aware when service has beenrestored and, in some cases, the user may forget to reattempt the voicecall even when service has been restored.

A related problem is associated with pre-established calendarappointments made via a calendar application of the mobile device. Suchcalendar appointments are stored in memory of the mobile device and aretypically associated with calendar information which includes a date,time, and/or time period of the appointment. The calendar information ofthe calendar application may be automatically synchronized with acorresponding calendar application on a computer (e.g. a PC) of a localarea network (LAN) via the wireless communication network. The calendarappointment may or may not be for an anticipated scheduled voice call(e.g. a conference call) utilizing the mobile device. If the calendarappointment is for such a scheduled call, wireless coverage is requiredfor the mobile device. That is, at the date and time of the appointment,the mobile device must be located within RF coverage range of thewireless communication network to make or receive the call for theappointment. If not, the user may miss or be late for the scheduledcall. Note that the user may not be aware of any RF coverage problemuntil the calendar application reminds the user of the appointment, ator near the date and time of the appointment.

A further problem is associated with scanning operations of a mobiledevice when voice calls are anticipated based on calendar appointmentsor call reminders. If a calendar appointment is for a scheduled call,then wireless coverage is required for the mobile device. That is, atthe date and time of the appointment, the mobile device must be locatedwithin RF coverage range of the wireless communication network to makeor receive the call for the appointment. If not, the user may miss or belate for the scheduled call. When the mobile device initially goesout-of-coverage, the mobile device performs scanning operations at arelatively fast scan rate in attempt to identify any available wirelessnetworks within RF coverage range. Over time, however, when no networksare found, the scan rate is decreased to a relatively slow scan rate.This is done in order to reduce power consumption of the mobile device,as scanning operations consume a significant amount of battery power.Currently, however, scanning operations and scan rates are functionallydisconnected from stored calendar appointments which may be for voicecalls or otherwise require wireless service for the mobile device.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide techniques tofacilitate anticipated voice calls for convenience and ease-of-use so asto overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of present disclosure will now be described by way ofexample with reference to attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates pertinent components of amobile station and a wireless communication network;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of a preferred mobile station of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a front side of an exemplary mobile stationshowing a user interface which includes a visual display and a pluralityof keys;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a message indicating “no service” orout-of-coverage condition of the mobile station;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart which describes a first part of a user interfacemethod for processing voice call requests based on communicationconditions of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying messages and prompts associated with avoice call denial;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a call reminder setup prompt for a callreminder feature;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart which describes a second part of the userinterface method of processing voice call requests based oncommunication conditions of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a call reminder prompt for reattempting aprevious voice call;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying multiple call reminder prompts;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart which describes a variation of the user interfacemethod of processing denied telephone calls from the mobile station ofFIGS. 1-3 with inclusion of a timer which is initialized based on aduration of the current out-of-coverage condition;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a prompt to scan for service;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart which describes a method for indicating whetherwireless coverage is required for a new appointment to be stored inmemory of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a daily calendar listing of a calendarapplication;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a calendar appointment of the calendarapplication;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a user interface prompt for the user tomanually indicate whether wireless coverage is required for the newappointment;

FIG. 17 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying the calendar appointment with the inclusionof a “wireless coverage required” field;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a stored task of a task application;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart which describes a method for causing a userinterface warning indication to be displayed during out-of-coverageconditions for appointments stored in memory of the mobile station ofFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart which describes a particular implementation ofthe method of FIG. 13 for causing a user interface warning indication tobe displayed during out-of-coverage conditions for appointments storedin memory of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, with inclusion of a timerwhich is initialized during out-of-coverage conditions;

FIG. 21 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3, where thevisual display is displaying a warning for an upcoming appointmentrequiring wireless coverage when an out-of-coverage condition ispresent; and

FIG. 22 is a flowchart which describes a method for varying a scan delayvalue dependent on upcoming appointments and stored call remindersrequiring wireless service for the mobile station of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

User interface methods and apparatus for processing voice call requestsbased on communication conditions of a mobile communication device aredescribed herein. The mobile communication device of the presentdisclosure includes one or more processors, a wireless transceivercoupled to the one or more processors, and a user interface whichincludes a visual display. In one illustrative embodiment, a voice callrequest for a voice call is received through the user interface. If thevoice call request is received during an out-of-coverage condition ofthe mobile communication device, the processor causes a call denialindication to be displayed in the visual display, which indicates thatthe voice call request could not be completed. The processor also causesa call reminder setup prompt to be displayed, which may be accepted ordeclined through the user interface. If an acceptance of the callreminder setup prompt is received, the processor causes a call reminderprompt for reattempting the voice call request to be displayed when anin-coverage condition of the mobile communication device is subsequentlyidentified. The call reminder prompt, which may be accepted or declinedthrough the user interface, reveals various call information regardingthe previous voice call request such as the telephone number, name, andtime of the previous request. If the call reminder prompt is accepted,the processor causes a voice call associated with the voice call requestto be initiated. Additional call reminder techniques are disclosed toprovide an even more flexible and easy-to-use interface.

In addition, alert methods and apparatus for call appointments in acalendar application based on communication conditions of a mobilestation are described herein. Calendar information for an appointment inthe calendar application of the mobile communication device is receivedand stored in memory. The calendar information is associated with a dateand time of the appointment. In response to identifying anout-of-coverage condition of the mobile communication device within apredetermined time period of the date and time of the appointment, awarning indication is produced at a user interface of the mobilecommunication device. The warning indication may be or include a messagewhich instructs a user of the mobile communication device to relocatethe mobile communication device for removing the out-of-coveragecondition, and may also include an audible or vibrating alert. Thewarning indication may be provided only if a telephone number or othersuitable call information is identified within the calendar information.

Finally, methods and apparatus for use in controlling scanningoperations or a scan rate based on call appointments or reminders aredescribed herein. In one illustrative example, one or more processors ofa mobile communication device are operative to identify whether a callappointment or reminder for a communication session to be establishedduring a current time period is stored in the memory, and determine ascan rate for scanning operations of the wireless transceiver whichvaries based on whether the call appointment or reminder for thecommunication session to be established is identified. If the callappointment or reminder for the communication session to be establishedduring the current time period is identified, then the scan rate may bedetermined to be a first scan rate; otherwise the scan rate may bedetermined to be a second scan rate that is less than the first rate.The scan rate may further be determined to vary based on a duration oftime over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitablewireless communication network for communication (e.g. as the durationof time increases, the scan rate decreases). Thus, scanning operationsand/or the scan rate is preferably determined based on different itemswhich include any stored upcoming appointments requiring wirelessservice, previous call attempts or call reminders, as well as the timeperiod over which scanning has been unsuccessful. In a simplerembodiment, a scanning operation of the mobile device is triggered basedon identifying an imminent appointment or reminder regardless of theexisting scan rate, which is otherwise left unchanged. Advantageously,scanning procedures are performed so as to reduce power consumption inthe mobile communication device without compromising calling ability.

To illustrate basic system architecture, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of acommunication system 100 which includes a mobile station 102 whichcommunicates through a wireless communication network 104. When mobilestation 102 is within coverage area provided by wireless communicationnetwork 104 or a similar wireless communication network, and is capableof sufficiently transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF)signals for communications with the wireless communications network,such an operating condition is described in this application as anin-coverage condition. When mobile station 102 is outside of coveragearea provided by wireless communication network 104 or a similarwireless communication network, and/or is incapable of sufficientlytransmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals forcommunications with the wireless communications network such anoperating condition is described in this application as anout-of-coverage condition. Areas considered outside of a coverage areaprovided by a wireless communication network include locations beyond ageographical coverage area defined by RF radiation patterns from thewireless communication network antennae as well as locations within thegeographical coverage area where an RF signal from a wirelesscommunication network may be weak or nonexistent due to physicalobstructions, interference from another energy source, or otherconditions that may reduce RF signal strength.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wireless communication network 104 isconfigured in accordance with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and aGlobal Systems for Mobile (GSM) technologies; however, any suitable typeof network communication protocols may be utilized. For example, thenetwork may be based on code division multiple access (CDMA) or othersuitable technologies. As another example, the network may be based onan Integrated Dispatch Enhanced Network (iDEN) which is a high-capacitydigital trunked radio system providing integrated voice and dataservices.

Mobile station 102, which is one type of mobile communication device,preferably includes a visual display 112, a keyboard 114, and perhapsone or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI) 116, each of which arecoupled to a controller 106. Controller 106 is also coupled to RFtransceiver circuitry 108 and an antenna 110. Typically, controller 106is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU) which runs operatingsystem software in a memory component (not shown). Controller 106 willnormally control overall operation of mobile station 102, whereas signalprocessing operations associated with communication functions aretypically performed in RF transceiver circuitry 108. Controller 106interfaces with device display 112 to display received information,stored information, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard 114, which maybe a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard, is normallyprovided for entering data for storage in mobile station 102,information for transmission to wireless communication network 104, atelephone number to place a telephone call, commands to be executed onmobile station 102, and possibly other or different user inputs.

Mobile station 102 sends communication signals to and receivescommunication signals from wireless communication network 104 over awireless link via antenna 110. RF transceiver circuitry 108 performsfunctions similar to those of station 118 and base station controller120, including for example modulation/demodulation and possiblyencoding/decoding and encryption/decryption. It is also contemplatedthat RF transceiver circuitry 108 may perform certain functions inaddition to those performed by base station controller 120. It will beapparent to those skilled in art that RF transceiver circuitry 108 willbe adapted to particular wireless communication network or networks inwhich mobile station 102 is intended to operate.

Mobile station 102 includes a battery interface 134 for receiving one ormore rechargeable batteries 132. Battery 132 provides electrical powerto electrical circuitry in mobile station 102, and battery interface 134provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for battery 132.Battery interface 134 is coupled to a regulator 136 which regulatespower to the device. When mobile station 102 is fully operational, an RFtransmitter of RF transceiver circuitry 108 is typically keyed or turnedon only when it is sending to network, and is otherwise turned off toconserve resources. Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceivercircuitry 108 is typically periodically turned off to conserve poweruntil it is needed to receive signals or information (if at all) duringdesignated time periods.

Mobile station 102 operates using a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 140which is connected to or inserted in mobile station 102 at a SIMinterface 142. SIM 140 is one type of a conventional “smart card” usedto identify a user (or subscriber) of mobile station 102 and topersonalize the device, among other things. Without SIM 140, the mobilestation terminal is not fully operational for communication throughwireless communication network 104. By inserting SIM 140 into mobilestation 102, a user can have access to any and all of his/her subscribedservices. SIM 140 generally includes a processor and memory for storinginformation. Since SIM 140 is coupled to SIM interface 142, it iscoupled to controller 106 through communication lines 144. In order toidentify the subscriber, SIM 140 contains some user parameters such asan International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). An advantage ofusing SIM 140 is that users are not necessarily bound by any singlephysical mobile station. SIM 140 may store additional user informationfor the mobile station as well, including datebook (or calendar)information and recent call information.

Mobile station 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a datacommunication device, a cellular telephone, a multiple-functioncommunication device with data and voice communication capabilities, apersonal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, ora computer incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, mobilestation 102 may be a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality ofseparate components, including but in no way limited to a computer orother device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example,in the mobile station block diagram of FIG. 1, RF transceiver circuitry108 and antenna 110 may be implemented as a radio modem unit that may beinserted into a port on a laptop computer. In this case, the laptopcomputer would include display 112, keyboard 114, one or more auxiliaryUIs 116, and controller 106 embodied as the computer's CPU. It is alsocontemplated that a computer or other equipment not normally capable ofwireless communication may be adapted to connect to and effectivelyassume control of RF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 of asingle-unit device such as one of those described above. Such a mobilestation 102 may have a more particular implementation as described laterin relation to mobile station 202 of FIG. 2.

Mobile station 102 communicates in and through wireless communicationnetwork 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wireless communication network104 is configured in accordance with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)and a Global Systems for Mobile (GSM) technologies. Wirelesscommunication network 104 includes a base station controller (BSC) 120with an associated tower station 118, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)122, a Home Location Register (HLR) 132, a Serving General Packet RadioService (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) 126, and a Gateway GPRS Support Node(GGSN) 128. MSC 122 is coupled to BSC 120 and to a landline network,such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 124. SGSN 126 iscoupled to BSC 120 and to GGSN 128, which is in turn coupled to a publicor private data network 130 (such as the Internet). HLR 132 is coupledto MSC 122, SGSN 126, and GGSN 128.

Station 118 is a transceiver station, and station 118 and BSC 120 aretogether referred to herein as the transceiver equipment. This fixedtransceiver equipment provides wireless communication network coveragefor a particular coverage area commonly referred to as a “cell”. Thetransceiver equipment transmits communication signals to and receivescommunication signals from mobile stations within its cell via station118. The transceiver equipment normally performs such functions asmodulation and possibly encoding and/or encryption of signals to betransmitted to the mobile station in accordance with particular, usuallypredetermined, communication protocols and parameters, under control ofits controller. The transceiver equipment similarly demodulates andpossibly decodes and decrypts, if necessary, any communication signalsreceived from mobile station 102 within its cell. Communicationprotocols and parameters may vary between different networks. Forexample, one network may employ a different modulation scheme andoperate at different frequencies than other networks.

The wireless link shown in communication system 100 of FIG. 1 representsone or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF)channels, and associated protocols used between wireless communicationnetwork 104 and mobile station 102. Those skilled in art will appreciatethat a wireless communication network in actual practice may includehundreds of cells, each served by a station 118 (i.e. or stationsector), depending upon desired overall expanse of network coverage. Allpertinent components may be connected by multiple switches and routers(not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers.

For all mobile station's 102 registered with a network operator,permanent data (such as mobile station 102 user's profile) as well astemporary data (such as mobile station's 102 current location) arestored in HLR 132. In case of a voice call to mobile station 102, HLR132 is queried to determine the current location of mobile station 102.A Visitor Location Register (VLR) of MSC 122 is responsible for a groupof location areas and stores the data of those mobile stations that arecurrently in its area of responsibility. This includes parts of thepermanent mobile station data that have been transmitted from HLR 132 tothe VLR for faster access. However, the VLR of MSC 122 may also assignand store local data, such as temporary identifications. Optionally, theVLR of MSC 122 can be enhanced for more efficient co-ordination of GPRSand non-GPRS services and functionality (e.g. paging forcircuit-switched calls which can be performed more efficiently via SGSN126, and combined GPRS and non-GPRS location updates).

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 126 is at the same hierarchical levelas MSC 122 and keeps track of the individual locations of mobilestations. SGSN 126 also performs security functions and access control.Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 128 provides interworking with externalpacket-switched networks and is connected with SGSNs (such as SGSN 126)via an IP-based GPRS backbone network. SGSN 126 performs authenticationand cipher setting procedures based on the same algorithms, keys, andcriteria as in existing GSM. In conventional operation, cell selectionmay be performed autonomously by mobile station 102 or by the fixedtransceiver equipment instructing mobile station 102 to select aparticular cell. Mobile station 102 informs wireless communicationnetwork 104 when it reselects another cell or group of cells, known as arouting area.

In order to access GPRS services, mobile station 102 first makes itspresence known to wireless communication network 104 by performing whatis known as a GPRS “attach”. This operation establishes a logical linkbetween mobile station 102 and SGSN 126 and makes mobile station 102available to receive, for example, pages via SGSN, notifications ofincoming data, or SMS messages over GPRS. In order to send and receiveGPRS data, mobile station 102 assists in activating the packet dataaddress that it wants to use. This operation makes mobile station 102known to GGSN 128; interworking with external data networks canthereafter commence. User data may be transferred transparently betweenmobile station 102 and the external data networks using, for example,encapsulation and tunneling. Data packets are equipped withGPRS-specific protocol information and transferred between mobilestation 102 and GGSN 128.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a preferred mobile station 202.Mobile station 202 is preferably a two-way communication device havingat least voice and advanced data communication capabilities, includingthe capability to communicate with other computer systems. Depending onthe functionality provided by mobile station 202, it may be referred toas a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone withdata messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a datacommunication device (with or without telephony capabilities). Mobilestation 202 may communicate with any one of a plurality of fixedtransceiver stations 200 within its geographic coverage area.

Mobile station 202 will normally incorporate a communication subsystem211, which includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214, and associatedcomponents, such as one or more (preferably embedded or internal)antenna elements 216 and 218, local oscillators (LOs) 213, and aprocessing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 220.Communication subsystem 211 is analogous to RF transceiver circuitry 108and antenna 110 shown in FIG. 1. As will be apparent to those skilled infield of communications, particular design of communication subsystem211 depends on the communication network in which mobile station 202 isintended to operate.

Mobile station 202 may send and receive communication signals over thenetwork after required network registration or activation procedureshave been completed. Signals received by antenna 216 through the networkare input to receiver 212, which may perform such common receiverfunctions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering,channel selection, and like, and in example shown in FIG. 2,analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signalallows more complex communication functions such as demodulation anddecoding to be performed in DSP 220. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, forexample, by DSP 220. These DSP-processed signals are input totransmitter 214 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over communicationnetwork via antenna 218. DSP 220 not only processes communicationsignals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control. Forexample, the gains applied to communication signals in receiver 212 andtransmitter 214 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in DSP 220.

Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of mobile station202, and therefore mobile station 202 requires a Subscriber IdentityModule or “SIM” card 262 to be inserted in a SIM interface 264 in orderto operate in the network. SIM 262 includes those features described inrelation to FIG. 1. Mobile station 202 is a battery-powered device so italso includes a battery interface 254 for receiving one or morerechargeable batteries 256. Such a battery 256 provides electrical powerto most if not all electrical circuitry in mobile station 202, andbattery interface 254 provides for a mechanical and electricalconnection for it. The battery interface 254 is coupled to a regulator(not shown) which provides a regulated voltage V to all of thecircuitry.

Mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is oneimplementation of controller 106 of FIG. 1) which controls overalloperation of mobile station 202. Communication functions, including atleast data and voice communications, are performed through communicationsubsystem 211. Microprocessor 238 also interacts with additional devicesubsystems such as a display 222, a flash memory 224, a random accessmemory (RAM) 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, a serialport 230, a keyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, and any other device subsystems generallydesignated at 242. Some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 2 performcommunication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide“resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such askeyboard 232 and display 222, for example, may be used for bothcommunication-related functions, such as entering a text message fortransmission over a communication network, and device-resident functionssuch as a calculator or task list. Operating system software used bymicroprocessor 238 is preferably stored in a persistent store such asflash memory 224, which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) orsimilar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, orparts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such asRAM 226.

Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions,preferably enables execution of software applications on mobile station202. A predetermined set of applications which control basic deviceoperations, including at least data and voice communicationapplications, will normally be installed on mobile station 202 duringits manufacture. This also includes the software for executing thetechniques of the present disclosure. A preferred application which isloaded onto mobile station 202 may be a personal information manager(PIM) application having the ability to organize and manage data itemsrelating to e-mail messages and voicemail messages, as well as calendardata. Naturally, one or more memory stores are available on mobilestation 202 and SIM 262 to facilitate storage of PIM data items andother information.

The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive dataitems via the wireless communication network. PIM data items may beseamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via the wirelesscommunication network, with the mobile station user's corresponding dataitems stored and/or associated with a host computer system therebycreating a mirrored host computer on mobile station 202 with respect tosuch items. This is especially advantageous where the host computersystem is the mobile station user's office computer system. Additionalapplications may also be loaded onto mobile station 202 through network,an auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, andinstalled by a user in RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store (notshown) for execution by microprocessor 238.

In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message(e.g. a short message service or SMS message), an e-mail message, or webpage download will be processed by communication subsystem 211 and inputto microprocessor 238. Microprocessor 238 will preferably furtherprocess the signal for output to display 222 or alternatively toauxiliary I/O device 228. A user of mobile station 202 may also composedata items, such as e-mail messages, for example, using keyboard 232 inconjunction with display 222 and possibly auxiliary I/O device 228.Keyboard 232 is preferably a complete alphanumeric keyboard and/ortelephone-type keypad. These composed items may be transmitted over acommunication network through communication subsystem 211.

For voice communications, the overall operation of mobile station 202 issubstantially similar, except that the received signals would be outputto speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated bymicrophone 236. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as avoice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on mobilestation 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferablyaccomplished primarily through speaker 234, display 222 may also be usedto provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration ofa voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples.

Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented in a personal digitalassistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization witha user's desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component.Serial port 230 enables a user to set preferences through an externaldevice or software application and extends the capabilities of mobilestation 202 by providing for information or software downloads to mobilestation 202 other than through a wireless communication network. Thealternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryptionkey onto mobile station 202 through a direct and thus reliable andtrusted connection to thereby provide secure device communication.

Short-range communications subsystem 240 of FIG. 2 is an additionaloptional component which provides for communication between mobilestation 202 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarilybe similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabledsystems and devices. Bluetooth™ is a registered trademark of BluetoothSIG, Inc.

FIG. 3 is a visual illustration of a front side of mobile station 202which may employ the present user interface techniques. Mobile station202 of FIG. 3 has a housing 302 which contains the electronic circuitryand components shown and described in relation to FIGS. 1-2. Housing 302of mobile station 202 carries a user interface having visual display 222and keypad 232 with a plurality of keys as earlier shown and describedin relation to FIG. 2. As will be revealed in more detail in relation toFIGS. 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12, visual display 222 is used to visuallydisplay information and messages for the user. As shown in FIG. 3, theplurality of keys of keypad 232 include a plurality of telephone digitkeys (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, *, and #) as well as control keysincluding a SEND key 308 (having a telephone handset icon inscribedthereon) and an END key 310 (having a telephone handset hang-up iconinscribed thereon). SEND and END keys 308 and 310 are mechanicalswitches of the mobile station which are detectable at switch inputs ofthe mobile station. In general, SEND key 308 is used by the user forinitiating a telephone call from mobile station 202 through the wirelesscommunication network, and END key 310 is used by the user forterminating the telephone call. Note that both SEND and END keys 308 and310 are carried and exposed on a front side of housing 302. SEND key 308may be alternatively designated as an ENTER key, an OK key, a START key,an ACCEPT key, etc.; similarly, END key 310 may be alternativelydesignated as a STOP key, a NO key, a DECLINE key, etc. Note that SENDand END keys 308 and 310 may alternatively be visual objects which aredisplayed in visual display 222 and detectable to the touch if visualdisplay 222 is a touch screen display or other similar input device.

Given the relatively large size of visually displayed information andthe compact size of visual display 222, information and messages aretypically only partially presented in the limited view of visual display222 at any given moment. Thus, mobile station 202 of FIG. 3 alsoincludes an information viewing/selection mechanism for use with visualdisplay 222. In the present embodiment, the informationviewing/selection mechanism of mobile station 202 is a scrollwheel 312.Scrollwheel 312 is positioned on a right hand side of housing 302.Scrollwheel 312 generally includes a circular disc which is rotatableabout a fixed axis of housing 302, and may be rotated by the user'sindex finger or thumb. See the directions indicated by a rotation arrow314 of scrollwheel 312 shown in FIG. 3. When the information or messageis being partially displayed, an upwards rotation of scrollwheel 312causes an upwards scrolling such that visual display 222 presentsviewing of an upper portion of the information or message. Similarly, adownwards rotation of scrollwheel 312 causes a downwards scrolling suchthat visual display 222 presents viewing of a lower portion of theinformation or message. Note also that scrollwheel 312 is mounted alonga fixed linear axis such that the user can depress scrollwheel 312inwards toward housing 302 (e.g. with the user's index finger or thumb)for selection of information. See the directions indicated by an arrow316 of scrollwheel 312 shown in FIG. 3. Such lateral movement inwardstoward the housing is detectable by the processor of the mobile stationas a switch input (actuation or depression of the scrollwheel key).Although scrollwheel 312 of FIG. 3 has been shown and described as thepreferred mechanism for use in viewing and selecting visually displayedinformation, any suitable viewing/selection mechanism may be utilizedfor the present user interface techniques to be described, such as UPand DOWN keys, a mouse and cursor mechanism, or a touch screen displaymechanism.

FIG. 4 is a second visual illustration of the front side of mobilestation 202. Existing products in the field display a message orindication of no service between a mobile station and its wirelesscommunication network when a voice call attempt is initiated whileoperating in out-of-coverage conditions. One example is shown in FIG. 4where, during out-of-coverage conditions, a “no service” orout-of-coverage message 402 may be displayed in visual display 222indicating that service has been lost between mobile station 202 andwireless communication network 104. Visual display 222 in thisillustration displays this out-of-coverage message 402 whichspecifically reads “No service currently available.” Out-of-coverageconditions may be indicated by other like messages on a visual displayor by some other indicator such as a colored light emitting diode (LED)or similar component, or by generating an audible indicator such as anaudible tone or multi-tone or sequence of tones or multi-tones or likeaudible indicator.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a first part of a user interfacemethod for processing voice call requests based on communicationsconditions of a mobile communication device. A second part of the methodis subsequently described in relation to the flowchart of FIG. 8. Themethod may be performed with use of a mobile communication device ormobile station operating in the wireless communication network asdescribed in relation to FIGS. 1-4. A computer program product for themobile station may include computer instructions stored on a storagemedium (memory, a floppy disk or CD-ROM) which are written in accordancewith the described logic of this method.

In combination with the flowchart of FIG. 5, reference will be made tothe visual illustrations of the mobile station in FIGS. 6-7. Beginningat a start block 502 of FIG. 5, a user of the mobile station will submita voice call request through a user interface of the mobile station(step 504 of FIG. 5). The user may initiate the voice call request bymanually entering a telephone number using keypad 232 of FIG. 4,recalling a stored telephone number from memory using keypad 232,utilizing a voice recognition method if available, or utilizing anothersuitable means. The voice call request may involve depressing SENDbutton 308 of FIG. 4. When the voice call request is received by theprocessor of mobile station 202, the processor is operative to identifyif mobile station 202 is operating in-coverage with any suitablewireless communication network (step 506 of FIG. 5). During anin-coverage condition, radio frequency (RF) communication signals ofsufficient strength and quality are being communicated between mobilestation 202 and a wireless communication network. If the in-coveragecondition is identified in step 506, the voice call is initiated frommobile station 202 through its wireless transceiver (step 520 of FIG. 5)and the flowchart ends at an end block 522 of FIG. 5. If an in-coveragecondition is not identified in step 506, then an out-of-coveragecondition exists where RF communication signals between mobile station202 and any suitable wireless communication network are not sufficientfor communications.

When the out-of-coverage condition is identified in step 506, theprocessor utilizes the wireless transceiver to monitor for servicebetween mobile station 202 and a wireless communication network (step508 of FIG. 5). The act of monitoring for service by a mobile stationmay be a scanning operation where each usable channel within a frequencyband of operation is scanned for activity. During the scanningoperation, the processor identifies whether any detected RF signalswithin the usable frequency band are suitable for communications betweenthe mobile station and the wireless communication network that isgenerating the detected RF signal. If a suitable wireless network isidentified, an in-coverage condition exists with this network (step 510of FIG. 5) and the voice call is initiated through the network (step 520of FIG. 5). If after monitoring for service in step 508 a wirelesscommunication network is not identified in step 510, the processor mayoptionally cause a “no service” or out-of-coverage message 402 (FIG. 6)and/or a call denial indication message 602 (FIG. 6) to be displayed inthe visual display of mobile station 202 (step 512 of FIG. 5). Note thatthe “no service” or out-of-coverage message 402 (FIG. 6) may also beused effectively as a call denial indication message for the attemptedvoice call. If utilized, this message affirmatively provides anindication that the attempted voice call has failed.

Following any call denial indication message 602 (e.g. after anexpiration of time or a user acknowledgement of the message through theuser interface), the processor causes a call reminder setup prompt 702(FIG. 7) for voice call request to be displayed in the visual display ofmobile station 202 (step 514 of FIG. 5). Call reminder setup prompt 702prompts the user to activate a call reminder feature of mobile station202 if desired. If the user chooses to accept the call reminder featurethrough the user interface (as tested in step 516 of FIG. 5), the callreminder feature for the voice call request is activated and theprocessor causes voice call information (such as a person or businessname, an outgoing telephone number, date, time of day when the voicecall was attempted, communications application, and any other pertinentinformation) associated with the voice call request to be stored inmemory (step 518 of FIG. 5). In one example, step 516 of FIG. 5 isperformed where call reminder setup prompt 702 of FIG. 7 is highlightedby rotating scroll wheel 312 (action shown by rotation arrow 314 of FIG.7) by the user and accepted by depressing scroll wheel 312 (action shownby lateral movement arrow 316 of FIG. 7). If the visual display is atouch screen display, the user may simply press a wand or finger on thevisual display 222 over the area where call reminder setup prompt 702appears.

If the user declines or refrains from accepting the call reminderfeature as tested in step 516 of FIG. 5, the call reminder feature isnot activated, no voice call request information is stored in memory,and the flowchart ends at end block 522 of FIG. 5. In one example, thecall reminder feature is declined or not accepted if the user refrainsfrom selecting the call reminder indication prompt 702 within apredetermined time period (e.g. within 5-10 seconds). In anotherexample, a “decline,” “cancellation,” or “OK” prompt 704 (see FIG. 7) issimultaneously displayed in the visual display along with call remindersetup prompt 702 to give the user an option to affirmatively decline thefeature.

In a variation of the technique, in response to receiving the voice callrequest and identifying an out-of-coverage condition at step 510 of FIG.5, the processor may be configured to automatically activate the callreminder feature and store the voice call reminder and voice callinformation in memory of mobile station 202 without user intervention(e.g. without visually displaying call reminder setup prompt 702 andwithout selecting or actuating any call reminder setup prompt 702). Inthis case where the voice call reminder is stored automatically, steps514 and 516 of FIG. 5 are skipped.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing the second part of the userinterface method of the present disclosure for processing voice callrequests based on communication conditions of the mobile station. Thefirst part of the user interface method was previously described inrelation to FIG. 5. The method may be performed with use of a mobilestation operating in the wireless communication network as described inrelation to FIGS. 1-4. A computer program product for the method mayinclude computer instructions stored on a storage medium (memory, afloppy disk or CD-ROM) which are written in accordance with thedescribed logic of this method.

In combination with the flowchart of FIG. 8, reference will be made tothe visual illustrations of the mobile station in FIGS. 9-10. Theflowchart begins where mobile station 202 is not in-coverage with anywireless communication network for communications (i.e. mobile station202 is out-of-coverage). Beginning at a start block 802 of FIG. 8, theprocessor regularly monitors to identify whether any in-coveragecondition exists between mobile station 202 and a suitable wirelesscommunication network (step 814 of FIG. 8). When service is restoredbetween the mobile station and a wireless communication network, aprocess begins that will allow the user to process any previously-deniedvoice call requests.

After successfully registering with the wireless communication network(step 816 of FIG. 8), the processor identifies whether the call reminderfeature is generally enabled or activated (step 818 of FIG. 8). If acall reminder feature is not enabled or activated at step 818, then theflowchart ends at an end block 832 of FIG. 8. Once an in-servicecondition has been re-established between the mobile station and awireless communication network, the present method will begin arepetitive process for handling stored voice call requests that werepreviously denied while operating in out-of-coverage conditions. Theprocess will not be performed if the call reminder feature is notactivated or if no call reminders were stored in memory, but will beperformed one or more times depending on the number of stored voice callreminders and choices made by the user for activating any stored callreminders. The process may also be interrupted if an out-of-coveragecondition is detected while processing stored voice call reminders, orif power to mobile station 202 is interrupted.

If the call reminder feature is activated or enabled at step 818, andone or more call reminders are stored in memory (as tested in step 820of FIG. 8), a call reminder prompt will be displayed in the visualdisplay of mobile station 202 (step 822 of FIG. 8). The call reminderprompt allows the user the option of initiating a previously storedvoice call request. After service has been restored between mobilestation 202 and a wireless communication network, the processor causes ageneric “service restored” message 902 (see FIG. 9) to be displayedindicating that service has been restored and voice call(s) wereattempted while operating in out-of-coverage conditions. Voice callinformation message 904 may also be displayed which shows informationabout a previously denied voice call request stored in memory. Voicecall information may include a person or business name, an outgoingtelephone number, date, time of day when the voice call was attempted,communications application, and any other pertinent informationassociated with the voice call request.

In addition, the processor may cause a voice call reminder prompt 906 aswell as a cancellation prompt 908 to be shown in visual display 222 ofmobile station 202 which allows the user to accept or decline,respectively, the previously denied voice call request. The user mayhighlight and select the visual prompts using rotatable and lateralmovements of scrollwheel 312 of FIG. 9 or any other suitable selectionmethods. If call reminder prompt 906 is chosen through the userinterface (as tested at step 824 of FIG. 8), the processor causes thevoice call to be initiated without further user intervention (step 830of FIG. 8). This is followed by deletion of stored call reminderinformation from memory (step 828 of FIG. 8), and subsequent completionof the voice call (step 826 of FIG. 8). If cancellation prompt 908 ischosen in step 824, the call reminder information is deleted from memory(step 831 of FIG. 8) and therefore not subsequently acted upon.

Following completion of the stored voice call request at step 826 ordeletion of call reminder information (step 831 of FIG. 8), theprocessor monitors to identify whether an in-coverage condition stillexists (step 825 of FIG. 8). If an in-coverage condition is notidentified, the process returns to step 802 of FIG. 8 to attempt to gainaccess to a wireless communication network. If an in-coverage conditionis identified in step 825, the process returns to check its memory forany further stored call reminders (step 820 of FIG. 8) and process eachstored voice call request as described above. This process will continueuntil all stored call reminders are cleared from memory.

A further technique involves activating the call reminder feature onlyafter a minimum time duration of continuous out-of-coverage has existedafter the voice call request is received. For example, while anout-of-coverage condition persists for less than a minimum time duration(e.g. 30 seconds) after a voice call request is received, a callreminder setup prompt is not immediately displayed and a call reminderis not immediately stored. Over the minimum time duration, the processorcauses repeated attempts to be made to restore service before any callreminder setup prompt is displayed and/or voice call reminder is storedin memory. If an in-coverage condition is identified before expirationof the minimum time duration, the voice call is initiated in response tothe voice call request; if the out-of-coverage condition persists forthe minimum time duration, then the processor causes the call remindersetup prompt to be displayed and/or the call reminder to be stored uponexpiration. A programmable setting may be provided for setting theminimum time duration for displaying the call reminder setup prompt orstoring voice call reminders while operating in out-of-coverageconditions.

On the other hand, a call reminder prompt may be displayed in the visualdisplay at a time when the mobile device is still not in steady,continuous RF coverage. This situation is undesirable as the user mayaccept the prompt at a time when the mobile device is out-of-coverage,potentially leading to another call failure. In this case, the processoroperates to cause the call reminder prompt to be displayed only afterand in response to detecting a steady, continuous in-coverage conditionfor a minimum time duration (e.g. between 10-60 seconds); the processorrefrains from displaying the call reminder prompt while no steady,continuous in-coverage condition is identified. If a call reminderprompt is displayed in the visual display after a steady, continuousin-coverage condition is identified, but an out-of-coverage condition issubsequently identified by the processor, the processor may operate towithdraw and remove the call reminder prompt from the visual display andrestore the stored call reminder for later issuance.

A further option of the present disclosure involves retaining the callreminder in memory for manual acceptance by the user at a later time. Inthis case, a list of one or more call reminders may be stored in thememory and later retrievable by the user at a time that is suitable forthe user. In FIG. 8, after the cancellation prompt is selected (step 824of FIG. 8), an additional step may cause a prompt on the visual displaywhich allows the user to retain the call reminder information in memoryfor use at a later time, for example.

The method in the flowchart FIG. 8 may process stored voice callreminders serially, as described above, or may process voice callreminders as a group. FIG. 10 shows an example of multiple callreminders displayed on visual display 222 of mobile station 202. Inaddition to service restored message 902, voice call information message904, and voice call reminder prompt 906, visual display 222 of mobilestation 202 may also include a second voice call information message1002 which will show information about a second denied voice callrequest, second voice call reminder prompt 1004 for accepting the secondvoice call described in second voice call information message 1002,along with cancellation prompt 908. The user may choose to accept thecall reminder corresponding to voice call information message 904 or,alternatively, the call reminder corresponding to second voice callinformation message 1002, by accepting voice call reminder prompt 906 orsecond voice call reminder prompt 1004, respectively. In this example ofhandling multiple voice reminders, cancellation prompt 908 of FIG. 10allows the user to deny all the voice call requests which are presentlydisplayed on visual display 222. Again, the user may initiate a voicecall or deny the call(s) using rotatable and lateral movements ofscrollwheel 312 or any other suitable selection methods described above.

Additional voice call reminder messages and voice call prompts may beshown on visual display 222 as space permits. Alternatively, whenmultiple voice call reminder messages/prompts are to be presented, anadditional prompt may be included that will allow the user to viewadditional messages/prompts that may be stored in memory if the visualdisplay is not capable of displaying all of them on the same screen.Such a message on a visual display may contain messages such as “NEXT”or “PREV” to allow the user to view the next or previous set of voicecall reminder information messages stored in memory. Further, ifmultiple voice call reminder messages and voice call reminder promptsare shown on one page, a screen scrolling procedure may be required toview voice call information that is not presently shown on the visualdisplay. Selection of a “NEXT” or “PREV” prompt and screen scrolling maybe performed by the user with the use of rotatable and lateral movementsof scrollwheel 312 or any other selection methods described above.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a variation of the user interfacemethod of processing voice call requests from the mobile station withinclusion of an abort timer which is initialized based on a duration ofa current out-of-coverage condition. The method may be performed withuse of a mobile station operating in the wireless communication networkas described in relation to FIGS. 1-4. A computer program product forthe mobile station may include computer instructions stored on a storagemedium (memory, a floppy disk or CD-ROM) which are written in accordancewith the described logic of this method.

When a voice call is requested while operating in out-of-coverageconditions, conventional techniques may monitor or scan for service inorder to complete the voice call request with or without providing anyindication to the user that monitor or scan is underway. The userinterface (e.g. a visual display) may not indicate that the voice callrequest could be completed until a complete scan of the useablefrequency band has completed. Complete scanning of the useable frequencyband may last as long as several minutes, and may delay any indicationto the user that the voice call request could be completed. The lengthof this delay may be unreasonable, and would also delay any callreminder setup prompt from being displayed and utilized as well.

Accordingly, a variable timer technique of the present disclosureutilizes recorded times of identified out-of-coverage conditions toreduce a time delay from when a voice call request is initially placedto when messages are displayed on a visual display indicating that thevoice call request could be completed. One way of reducing the timedelay is to utilize a recently-recorded out-of-coverage condition time.A time delay value may be inversely proportional to the time periodsince the most recent out-of-coverage condition was recorded relative toa time when the voice call request is initiated, providing almostimmediate call denial/call reminder prompt indication to the user if theout-of-coverage condition has been present for a relatively long periodof time. If the out-of-coverage condition has been present for arelatively long period of time, this indicates that a scanning operationhas also been active during a long period. In that case, little or nofurther scanning needs to be performed prior to providing a call denialmessage and/or call reminder prompt to the user. On the other hand, ifthe out-of-coverage condition has been present only for a relativelyshort period of time, this indicates that the scanning operation hasonly been active during a short period. In that case, further scanningshould be performed prior to providing a call denial message and/or callreminder prompt to the user.

In combination with the flowchart of FIG. 11, reference will be made tothe visual illustrations of the mobile station in FIGS. 3, 7 and 12.Beginning at a start block 1102 of FIG. 11, a user initiates a voicecall request through the user interface of mobile station 202 (step 1104of FIG. 11). The user may initiate the voice call request by manuallyentering a telephone number using keypad 232 of FIG. 3, recalling astored telephone number from memory using keypad 232, by utilizing avoice recognition method if available, or some other suitable means. Thevoice call request may involve depressing SEND button 308 of FIG. 3after the selection of a telephone number.

When the voice call request is received by a processor of the mobilestation, the processor identifies if mobile station 202 is operating inan in-coverage condition (step 1106 of FIG. 11). If an in-coveragecondition is not identified as tested in step 1106 (i.e. anout-of-coverage condition exists), an abort timer value is calculatedbased on a duration of the most recent identification of anuninterrupted out-of-coverage condition (step 1108 of FIG. 11). Theabort timer may be set inversely proportional to a time period overwhich the current out-of-coverage condition existed between the mobilecommunication device and a wireless communication network prior toreceiving the voice call request. Maximum and minimum time values may beused to limit the range of the abort timer. Subsequent identification ofan in-coverage condition may cause the abort timer to reset to itsdefault value, and may also cause the mostly recently storedout-of-coverage condition time to be cleared from memory.

After the abort timer value is loaded into the abort timer and the aborttimer is set to run (step 1110 of FIG. 11), and until the abort timerhas expired (as tested in step 1112 of FIG. 11), the processor causes amonitoring for service between mobile station 202 and a compatiblewireless communication network (step 1114 of FIG. 11). Preferably, themonitoring is a scanning operation. If, while monitoring for service, anin-coverage condition is identified with a compatible wireless network(as tested in step 1116 of FIG. 11), mobile station 202 registers withthe wireless network (step 1118 of FIG. 11). Subsequently, the voicecall for the voice call request is initiated by the processor using thewireless transceiver (step 1120 of FIG. 11), and the process terminatesand returns to normal operation at an end block 1136 of FIG. 11. Ifafter monitoring for service in step 1114, an in-coverage condition isnot identified in step 1116, the process returns to step 1112 of FIG. 11to determine if the abort timer has expired.

When the abort timer has expired (step 1112 of FIG. 11), a call denialindication message may be displayed on the visual display of mobilestation 202 (step 1122 of FIG. 11). See e.g. indication message 602 ofFIG. 6. If a full system scan has occurred recently (as tested at step1124 of FIG. 11), the processor causes a call reminder setup prompt forvoice call request to be displayed in the visual display of mobilestation 202 (step 1130 of FIG. 11). For example, see prompt 702 ofprevious FIG. 7. The call reminder setup prompt prompts the user toactivate a call reminder feature of the mobile station if desired. Ifthe user chooses to accept the call reminder feature through the userinterface (as tested in step 1132 of FIG. 11), the call reminder featurefor the voice call request is activated and the processor causes voicecall information (such as a person or business name, an outgoingtelephone number, date, time of day when the voice call was attempted,communications application, and any other pertinent information)associated with the voice call request to be stored in memory (step 1134of FIG. 11). In one example, step 1132 of FIG. 11 is performed where thecall reminder setup prompt is highlighted by rotating the scrollwheeland accepted by depressing the scrollwheel.

If the user declines or refrains from accepting the call reminderfeature as tested in step 1132 of FIG. 11, the call reminder feature isnot activated, no voice call request information is stored in memory,and the flowchart ends at end block 1136 of FIG. 11. In one example, thecall reminder feature is declined or not accepted if the user refrainsfrom selecting the call reminder indication prompt within apredetermined time period (e.g. within 5-10 seconds). In anotherexample, a “decline,” “cancellation,” or “OK” prompt (see prompt 704 ofFIG. 7) is simultaneously displayed in the visual display along with thecall reminder setup prompt to give the user an option to affirmativelydecline the feature. In a variation of the technique, at the YES branchin step 1124 of FIG. 11, the processor may be configured toautomatically activate the call reminder feature and store the voicecall reminder and voice call information in memory of the mobile stationwithout user intervention (e.g. without visually displaying the callreminder setup prompt and without selecting or actuating any callreminder setup prompt). In this case where the voice call reminder isstored automatically, steps 1130 and 1132 of FIG. 11 are skipped.

If a full system scan has not occurred recently as tested in step 1124,the processor causes an indication to be displayed on the visual displaycorresponding to a system scan prompt (step 1126 of FIG. 11). In FIG.12, an example of a system scan prompt 1204 is shown in visual display222 of mobile station 202. Note also that a “decline,” “cancellation,”or “OK” prompt 1202 may be simultaneously displayed in visual display222 along with system scan prompt 1204 to give the user an option toaffirmatively decline the scan. If the user accepts the system scanprompt through the user interface (as identified in step 1128 of FIG.11), the abort time value is set to its maximum value to allow adequatetime for a full system scan (step 1125 of FIG. 11). The flowchart thenreturns to step 1110 where the abort timer is loaded with the maximumabort timer value. If the system scan prompt is not accepted or isdeclined through the user interface at step 1128, the flowchartcontinues at step 1130 where the user has the option to select and callreminder information may or may not be stored.

Again, if an out-of-coverage condition has been present for a relativelylong period of time, this indicates that a scanning operation has alsobeen active during a long period. In that case, little or no furtherscanning needs to be performed prior to providing such call denialmessage and/or call reminder setup prompt to the user. On the otherhand, if the out-of-coverage condition has been present only for arelatively short period of time, this indicates that the scanningoperation has only been active during a short period. In that case,further scanning should be performed prior to providing such call denialmessage and/or call reminder setup prompt to the user. As apparent, theabort timer is initialized and set appropriately for such operation.

Thus, user interface methods and apparatus for processing voice callrequests based on communication conditions of a mobile communicationdevice have been described. The mobile communication device of thepresent disclosure may include one or more processors, a wirelesstransceiver coupled to the one or more processors, and a user interfacewhich includes a visual display. In one illustrative embodiment, a voicecall request for a voice call is received through the user interface. Ifthe voice call request is received during an out-of-coverage conditionof the mobile communication device, the processor causes a call denialindication to be displayed in the visual display, which indicates thatthe voice call request could not be completed. The processor also causesa call reminder setup prompt to be displayed, which may be accepted ordeclined through the user interface. If an acceptance of the callreminder setup prompt is received, the processor causes a call reminderprompt for reattempting the voice call to be displayed when anin-coverage condition of the mobile communication device is subsequentlyidentified. The call reminder prompt, which also may be accepted ordeclined through the user interface, reveals various call informationregarding the previous voice call request such as the telephone number,name, and time of the previous request. If the call reminder prompt isaccepted, the processor causes a voice call associated with the voicecall request to be initiated. Advantageously, previous call attempts forvoice calls made during out-of-coverage conditions may be re-initiatedwith helpful, easy-to-use, intelligent call reminders.

A related problem is associated with pre-established calendarappointments made via a calendar application of the mobile station. Suchcalendar appointments are stored in memory of the mobile station and aretypically associated with calendar information which includes a date,time, and/or time period of the appointment. The calendar information ofthe calendar application may be automatically synchronized with acorresponding calendar application on a computer (e.g. a PC) of a localarea network (LAN) via the wireless communication network. Thus, suchcalendar information may be received from the user interface of themobile station or via the wireless communication network. The calendarappointment may or may not be for an anticipated scheduled voice call(e.g. a conference call) utilizing the mobile station. If the calendarappointment is for such a scheduled call, wireless coverage is requiredfor the mobile station. That is, at the date and time of theappointment, the mobile station must be located within RF coverage rangeof the wireless communication network to make or receive the call forthe appointment. If not, the user may miss or be late for the scheduledcall. Note that the user may not be aware of any RF coverage problemuntil the calendar application reminds the user of the appointment, ator near the date and time of the appointment. This problem is moregenerally associated with any stored appointment or item in the mobilestation having a pre-established scheduled date and/or time, such as atask appointment of a task application.

Techniques of the present disclosure described in relation to FIGS.13-21 help alleviate the aforementioned problems. In particular, FIGS.13, 19, and 20 are flowcharts which describe such techniques and FIGS.14-18 and 21 are illustrations of displayed information of the mobilestation associated with the techniques.

To begin, FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing a method for indicatingwhether wireless coverage is required for a new appointment of acalendar application to be stored in memory of a mobile station. Themethod may be performed with use of the mobile station (e.g. its one ormore processors, such as a microprocessor) operating in the wirelesscommunication network as described in relation to FIGS. 1-4. A computerprogram product for the mobile station may include computer instructionsstored on a storage medium (memory, a floppy disk or CD-ROM) which arewritten in accordance with the described logic of this method.

In combination with the flowchart of FIG. 13, reference will be made tothe visual illustrations of the mobile station in FIGS. 14-18. Beginningat a start block 1302 of FIG. 13, the processor of the mobile stationregularly monitors to identify any new appointment within mobile station202 (step 1304 of FIG. 13). Appointments may be calendar appointments ortask items which include calendar or scheduling information, such asdate and/or time of day, as examples. The mobile station may receive anew appointment while interfacing with a separate calendar/schedulingsoftware application, such as Microsoft Outlook® or like softwareprogram, which may be operating on a separate computer system, such as aPC or computer network. The mobile station may receive new appointmentswhile wirelessly (e.g. data-synchronized) or directly coupled to a PC orcomputer network that is hosting the calendar or scheduling softwareapplication. Additionally or alternatively, a user may use keypad 232 ofFIG. 4 or a similar user interface to manually enter a new appointmentinto mobile station memory. One example of a calendar appointment 1402listed within a daily calendar list 1404 is shown in the illustration ofFIG. 14. A detailed view of calendar appointment 1402 is shown in theillustration of FIG. 15.

Once a new appointment is identified, the processor determines ifwireless coverage is required for the new appointment (step 1306 of FIG.13). Detection of wireless coverage requirements for the new appointmentmay be an automated process which may cause the processor to searchwithin the calendar information for a phone number for the call, keywords such as “call”, “telephone”, “chat session” etc., an Internetaddress, email address, or user or group names associated with chatgroups, or like information that indicates wireless coverage isrequired. Search techniques may be used to detect alphanumeric stringswithin the calendar information to indicate whether wireless coverage isrequired for stored appointments.

Examples of alphanumeric strings indicating wireless coverage requiredfor new appointment 1402 of FIG. 15 are shown within location field 1504of FIG. 15, with example string “conference call” associated withappointment subject “Singapore Design Center” 1502 of FIG. 15, andwithin telephone number field 1506 of FIG. 15, where a ten digit numberis entered. Similar fields associated with any new appointment mayinclude an Internet address, email address, user or group namesassociated with chat groups or like information indicating wirelesscoverage required for the new appointment. In FIG. 18, for example, atask 1804 (“Discuss Marketing Potential”) of a task application is shownand associated with a date and time 1802, as well as notes 1806 whichindicate that a group chat session for a chat group 1808 (“John'sGroup”).

If any technique described above indicates wireless coverage is requiredin step 1306, the new appointment will be stored in memory by theprocessor with an indication of wireless coverage required (step 1308 ofFIG. 13). Indication of wireless coverage required may be a programmableflag or variable setting similar to example field “Wireless CoverageRequired” 1702 of FIG. 17 associated with the new appointment.

In step 1306 if no wireless coverage required is detected withincalendar information of the new appointment, the processor mayoptionally cause an acceptance message prompt 1602 of FIG. 16 (“WirelessCoverage Required for Scheduled Appointment?”) and/or cancel prompt 1604of FIG. 16 (“Cancel”) to be displayed in visual display 222 (step 1310of FIG. 13). This step allows the user to determine and manually setwhether wireless coverage is required for the new appointment. Forexample, the user of the mobile station may use scrollwheel 312 of FIG.16 (or like key/button of the user interface) to select acceptancemessage prompt 1602 to indicate that wireless coverage is required fornew appointment 1402, or select cancel prompt 1604 to indicate thatwireless coverage is not required for new appointment 1402. Ifacceptance message prompt 1602 is selected by the user as detected bythe processor (step 1312 of FIG. 13), the new appointment will be storedin memory of the mobile station with an indication of wireless coveragerequired (step 1308 of FIG. 13). If cancel prompt 1604 is accepted asdetected by the processor in step 1312, the new appointment will bestored in memory of the mobile station with an indication of no wirelesscoverage required (step 1314 of FIG. 13). As alternatives, wirelesscoverage required may be accepted by the user's selection of a mobilestation key designated as “OK” button, or denied by choosing a mobilestation key designated as “CANCEL” button on keypad 232 of FIG. 16. Oncethe new appointment is stored in memory in step 1308 or step 1314, theprocess of FIG. 13 returns to step 1304 to monitor for any newappointments. As stated above, the process of FIG. 13 may apply tocalendar appointments, task items, or like information associated withanticipated date and times of an upcoming event.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for describing a method for causing a userinterface warning indication to be produced during out-of-coverageconditions for appointments stored in memory of a mobile station. Suchwarning indications may be produced when wireless coverage is requiredfor such appointments as determined in relation to the process of FIG.13 previously described. The method may be performed with use of themobile station (e.g. its one or more processors, such as amicroprocessor) operating in the wireless communication network asdescribed in relation to FIGS. 1-4. A computer program product for themobile station may include computer instructions stored on a storagemedium (memory, a floppy disk or CD-ROM) which are written in accordancewith the described logic of this method.

Beginning at a start block 1902 of FIG. 19, the processor of the mobilestation is operative to identify if the mobile station is operatingin-coverage with any suitable wireless communication network (step 1904of FIG. 19). During an in-coverage condition, radio frequency (RF)communication signals of sufficient strength and quality are beingcommunicated between the mobile station and a wireless communicationnetwork. If the in-coverage condition is identified in step 1904, thensuch monitoring continues and the process will repeat at step 1904. Ifan in-coverage condition is not identified in step 1904, then the mobilestation is experiencing an out-of-coverage condition and prepares toprovide a warning if any upcoming appointments requiring wirelesscoverage are anticipated. An out-of-coverage condition exists when RFcommunication signals between the mobile station and any suitablewireless communication network are not sufficient for communications.

A time value T_(REM) for appointment/warning may be set equal to apre-defined time value T_(APPT) _(—) _(REM) associated with theappointment information (step 1906 of FIG. 19). The time value T_(REM)is a process variable representing a predetermined time period withinthe date and time of upcoming calendar appointments, task items or othermeetings stored in memory of the mobile station. Preferably, T_(REM) isa value between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. Time value T_(APPT) _(—)_(REM) may comprise appointment information reminder time values, suchas a Microsoft Outlook® appointment default reminder time value offifteen minutes or a task item reminder time value.

As previously described in the flowchart of FIG. 13, an appointment ortask may be associated with a stored flag or other indicator to indicatethat wireless coverage is required for the appointment. If any flaggedcalendar appointment, task item, or other meeting item stored in memoryis scheduled for a time t equal to current time t₀ plus time valueT_(REM) (step 1908 of FIG. 19), the processor may cause a warningmessage to be produced at the user interface of the mobile station (step1910 of FIG. 19). If no scheduled items require wireless coverage at atime t equal to the current time t₀ plus time value T_(REM) in step1908, the process just returns to step 1904. In this case, the warningis refrained from being output from the user interface of the mobilestation.

The warning message of step 1910 may generally indicate that wirelesscoverage is required for the upcoming scheduled item, that the mobilestation is out-of-coverage, and/or provide an instruction for the userto relocate the mobile station for removing the out-of-coveragecondition. The warning indication may be a visual message displayed onvisual display 222, an audible indication produced at speaker 234, othersensory indication such as a vibrating mechanism, or combination ofindications within the mobile station. Preferably, the warning messageis or includes a visually-displayed text message which instructs theuser to relocate the mobile station for removing the out-of-coveragecondition. An example of a visual warning message 2102 is showndisplayed on visual display 222 of FIG. 21.

Note that such warning indication may be provided at the same time, or adifferent time, than the actual calendar reminder indication otherwiseprovided by the calendar application. Note also that such warningindication is provided in addition to any conventional indication forout-of-coverage (e.g. signal strength bar or bars indicating low ornon-existent, or text indicating “No Service”).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for describing a particular detailedimplementation of the method of FIGS. 13 and 19 for causing a userinterface warning indication during out-of-coverage conditions forappointments, with inclusion of a timer which is initialized duringout-of-coverage conditions. The method may be performed with use of themobile station (e.g. its one or more processors such as amicroprocessor) operating in the wireless communication network asdescribed in relation to FIGS. 1-4. A computer program product for themobile station may include computer instructions stored on a storagemedium (memory, a floppy disk or CD-ROM) which are written in accordancewith the described logic of this method.

In general, the process described in the flowchart of FIG. 20 utilizes atimer to determine a duration for which the mobile station iscontinuously out-of-coverage from any suitable wireless communicationnetwork. The timer is described in the flowchart of FIG. 20 as anout-of-coverage (OOC) timer which is used in a mobile station todetermine a time to initiate user interface warning indications forupcoming scheduled appointments requiring wireless service.

Beginning at a start block 2002 of FIG. 20, the processor of the mobilestation is operative to identify if mobile station 202 is operatingin-coverage with any suitable wireless communication network (step 2004of FIG. 20). During an in-coverage condition, radio frequency (RF)communication signals of sufficient strength and quality are beingcommunicated between the mobile station and a wireless communicationnetwork. If the in-coverage condition is identified in step 2004, anout-of-coverage (OOC) timer will be disabled (step 2006 of FIG. 20) andthe processor continues monitoring at step 2004. If an in-coveragecondition is not identified in step 2004, then an out-of-coveragecondition exists where RF communication signals between the mobilestation and any suitable wireless communication network are notsufficient for communications. If an in-coverage condition is notidentified in step 2004, and if the OOC timer is not currently running(as identified by the processor in step 2008 of FIG. 20), the processorcauses the OOC timer to be initialized and started (step 2010 of FIG.20). If the OOC timer is currently running as identified in step 2208,the process advances to step 2012.

Next, if a buffer time is available to be added to the appointmentreminder time (as identified in step 2012 of FIG. 20), a variable timevalue T_(REM) may be set to equal a sum of a time value T_(OCC) (i.e.for the OCC timer) plus a buffer time value T_(BUFFER) (step 2014 ofFIG. 20). Preferably, the buffer time is an optional user ormanufacturer programmable value for providing an additional time ofwarning indications for upcoming appointments requiring wirelessservice. If the user or manufacturer has chosen to not include a buffertime to be added to the appointment reminder time in step 2012, thevariable time value T_(REM) may be set to equal OOC timer time valueT_(OCC) (step 2016 of FIG. 20).

Once T_(REM) is set to a usable value, the processor determines if anyappointments requiring wireless service are scheduled for a time t equalto a sum of the current time t₀ plus T_(REM) (step 2018 of FIG. 20). Forany appointments requiring wireless service scheduled at time t, awarning indication may be produced at the user interface of the mobilestation (step 2020 of FIG. 20). The warning indication may be in theform of a visual message displayed on visual display 222, an audiblewarning indication at speaker 234, a combination of warning indicationsor other such user interface warning indication, as described earlierabove. An example warning message 2102 of FIG. 21 is shown displayed onvisual display 222 of FIG. 21. Note that such warning indication may beprovided at the same time, or a different time, than the actual calendarreminder indication otherwise provided by the calendar application. Notealso that such warning indication is provided in addition to anyconventional indication for out-of-coverage (e.g. signal strength bar orbars indicating low or non-existent, or text indicating “No Service”).

Following the warning indication of any appointment requiring wirelessservice, the processor may determine if the appointment informationshould be repeated at predetermined time intervals (step 2022 of FIG.20). If repeat warning messages are indicated for any appointmentrequiring wireless service, a reminder time associated with each repeatwarning message will be set appropriately for each appointment requiringwireless service (step 2024 of FIG. 20). The processor then returns tostep 2004 to continue the process.

Advantageously, with the techniques of FIGS. 13-20, the user of themobile station is made aware of RF coverage problems well before thetime of the scheduled appointment, which helps prevent the user frommissing or being late for the appointment.

A related problem is associated with scanning techniques of a mobilestation when voice calls are anticipated. As described earlier, calendarappointments are stored in memory of the mobile station and aretypically associated with calendar information which includes a date,time, and/or time period of the appointment. The calendar appointmentmay or may not be for an anticipated scheduled voice call (e.g. aconference call) utilizing the mobile station. If the calendarappointment is for such a scheduled call, wireless coverage is requiredfor the mobile station. That is, at the date and time of theappointment, the mobile station must be located within RF coverage rangeof the wireless communication network to make or receive the call forthe appointment. If not, the user may miss or be late for the scheduledcall. When the mobile station initially goes out-of-coverage, the mobilestation performs scanning operations at a relatively fast scan rate inattempt to identify any available wireless networks within RF coveragerange. Over time, however, when no networks are found, the scan rate isdecreased to a relatively slow scan rate. This is done in order toreduce power consumption of the mobile station, as scanning operationsconsume a significant amount of battery power. Currently, however,scanning operations and scan rates are functionally disconnected fromstored calendar appointments which may be for voice calls or otherwiserequire wireless service for the mobile station.

Techniques of the present disclosure described in relation to FIG. 22help alleviate the aforementioned problems. Generally, scanningoperations of the present disclosure take into account any upcoming orimminent calendar appointments or call reminders stored in memory. FIG.22 is a flowchart for describing a method for varying a scan delay valueduring out-of-coverage conditions dependent on upcoming appointments,tasks and stored call reminders requiring wireless service for a mobilestation. The method may be performed with use of the mobile station(e.g. its one or more processors such as a microprocessor) operating inthe wireless communication network as described in relation to FIGS.1-4. A computer program product for the mobile station may includecomputer instructions stored on a storage medium (memory, a floppy diskor CD-ROM) which are written in accordance with the described logic ofthis method.

In general, the one or more processors of the mobile station areoperative to identify whether a call appointment or reminder for acommunication session to be established during a current time period isstored in the memory, and determine a scan rate for scanning operationsof the wireless transceiver which varies based on whether the callappointment or reminder for the communication session to be establishedduring the current time period is identified. If the call appointment orreminder for the communication session to be established during thecurrent time period is identified, for example, then the scan rate maybe determined to be a first scan rate; otherwise the scan rate may bedetermined to be a second scan rate that is less than the first rate.The scan rate may further be determined to vary based on a duration oftime over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitablewireless communication network for communication (e.g. as the durationof time increases, the scan rate decreases). More generally, then,scanning operations and/or the scan rate of the present disclosure isdetermined based on different items which include any stored upcomingappointments requiring wireless service, previous call attempts or callreminders, as well as the time period over which scanning has beenunsuccessful. In a simpler embodiment, a scanning operation is triggeredbased on identifying an imminent appointment or reminder regardless ofthe existing scan rate which is otherwise left unchanged.Advantageously, the scanning procedure is performed so as to reducepower consumption in the mobile communication device withoutcompromising calling ability.

Beginning at a start block 2202 of FIG. 22, the processor of the mobilestation is operative to identify if the mobile station is operatingin-coverage with any suitable wireless communication network (step 2204of FIG. 22). During an in-coverage condition, radio frequency (RF)communication signals of sufficient strength and quality are beingcommunicated between the mobile station and a wireless communicationnetwork. If the in-coverage condition is identified in step 2204, anout-of-coverage (OOC) timer will be disabled (step 2206 of FIG. 22) andthe process will repeat step 2204. The OOC timer is utilized todetermine a duration for which the mobile station is continuouslyout-of-coverage from any suitable wireless communication network. If anin-coverage condition is not identified in step 2204, then anout-of-coverage condition exists where RF communication signals betweenthe mobile station and any suitable wireless communication network arenot sufficient for communications. If an in-coverage condition is notidentified in step 2204, and if the OOC timer is not currently running(as identified in step 2208 of FIG. 22), the processor causes the OOCtimer to be initialized and started (step 2210 of FIG. 22). If the OOCtimer is currently running, the process advances to step 2212.

Next in step 2212, a variable time value T_(SCAN) is initially set toequal a time value proportional to the amount of time since theout-of-coverage condition has been detected, based on the present valueof the OOC timer (step 2212 of FIG. 22). The initial value of T_(SCAN)may be determined by the present value of the OOC timer usingconventional techniques. This variable time value T_(SCAN) represents ascan delay value that will determine a scan rate for scanning ormonitoring usable RF spectrum for wireless networks within range of themobile station. An action of monitoring usable RF spectrum for wirelessnetworks may be referred to as a system scan. As described, the scandelay value may be set proportional to the time period since the mostrecent out-of-coverage condition was detected. The scan delay value willincrease proportionally as the OOC timer time value increases to reducesystem scan rate in an established out-of-coverage environment in orderto reduce power consumption on the mobile station battery. Put anotherway, the scan rate is initially determined to vary based on a predefinedrelationship with the OOC time value such that, as the OOC time valueincreases, the scan rate decreases. When the system scan is not active,transmitter and receiver circuitry is disabled in large part, and is notdraining any significant current from the battery of the mobile station.Therefore, an increased scan delay value reduces the battery powerconsumption in the mobile device, and therefore increases the batterylife. The scan delay value may have a predefined upper limit defined asa maximum scan delay value and a predefined lower limit defined as aminimum scan delay value.

Next, the processor determines if any upcoming appointments or tasksrequire wireless coverage (step 2214 of FIG. 22). If any upcoming orimminent appointments or tasks requiring wireless coverage are detected,then the scan rate will be adjusted or varied (i.e. decreased) based onthis knowledge. The scan rate may be varied based on a predeterminedrelationship with the number of call appointments such that, as thenumber of call appointments increase, the scan rate increases. In thisimplementation, the processor performs a test to compare T_(SCAN) to aprocess variable time value T_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT) (step 2216 of FIG. 22).The process variable time value T_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT) may be a functionof a variable time value, such as T_(SCAN) or a predefined constant. Forexample, the value may be a maximum scan delay value T_(SCAN)(MAX) andnumber of calendar appointments requiring wireless coverage and/oramount of time before a calendar appointment requiring wirelesscoverage. One example for determining the value of T_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT)may involve a variable time value such as T_(SCAN) divided by apredefined constant or variable value. T_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT) may also bedetermined by a function including one or more of a number of upcomingappointments requiring wireless service, amount of time before upcomingappointments requiring wireless service, or other constant or variablevalue that properly suits the application. If T_(SCAN) is less thanT_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT) in step 2216, then no change occurs to the timevalue T_(SCAN). If T_(SCAN) is greater than T_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT), thenT_(SCAN) will be set to equal T_(CAL) _(—) _(APPT) (step 2218 of FIG.22).

Next, the processor detects if any call reminders are stored in memoryof the mobile station (step 2220 of FIG. 22). If no stored callreminders are detected, the method returns to step 2204 to repeat theprocess. If stored call reminders are detected in step 2220, then thescan rate will be adjusted or varied (i.e. decreased) based on thisknowledge. The scan rate may be varied based on a predeterminedrelationship with the number of call reminders such that, as the numberof call reminders increase, the scan rate increases. In thisimplementation, a test will be performed to determine if T_(SCAN) isless than a process variable time value T_(CALL) _(—) _(REM) (step 2222of FIG. 22). Similar to the process described above for setting T_(SCAN)to a lower value if any appointment reminders are detected, T_(SCAN) maybe reduced by a predetermined value if any stored call reminders aredetected. The process variable time value T_(CALL) _(—) _(REM) may be afunction of a variable time value such as T_(SCAN) or a predefinedconstant such as maximum scan delay value and number of stored callreminders. One example for determining the value of T_(CALL) _(—) _(REM)may involve a variable time value, such as T_(SCAN) divided by apredefined constant or variable value. T_(CALL) _(—) _(REM) may also bedetermined by a function including one or more of a number of storedcall reminders or other constant or variable value that properly suitsthe application. If T_(SCAN) is less than T_(CALL) _(—) _(REM) in step2222, then no change occurs to the time value T_(SCAN). If T_(SCAN) isgreater than T_(CALL) _(—) _(REM), then T_(SCAN) will be set to equalT_(CALL) _(—) _(REM) (step 2224 of FIG. 22). Preferably, T_(SCAN) may bedetermined as a function of both the number of upcoming appointmentsrequiring wireless coverage and the number of stored call reminders.Next, the process returns to step 2204 to repeat the process.

Once determined, the scan delay value may be loaded into a scan timerand the scan timer is set to run until expiration. After the scan timerhas expired, a system scan for wireless networks may be performed by themobile station. Thus, each time the scanning operation fails to identifya suitable wireless communication network for communication, the scandelay timer is set with the scan delay value and is set to run, wherethe scanning operation is repeated upon expiration of the scan delaytimer.

Note that the techniques for determining which time value is lesser inthe above steps will continuously provide a scan delay time having theleast value. In some applications, a greater scan delay time value maybe desired, and may be accomplished by modifying decision blocks 2216and 2218 and their associated process blocks. In a simpler embodimentrelated to FIG. 22, a scanning operation is triggered based onidentifying an imminent appointment (e.g. within 30 seconds to 5minutes) or reminder regardless of the existing scan rate, which isotherwise left unchanged and set based on the length of time of theout-of-coverage condition.

Thus, user interface methods and apparatus for processing voice callrequests based on communication conditions of a mobile communicationdevice have been described. The mobile communication device of thepresent disclosure includes one or more processors, a wirelesstransceiver coupled to the one or more processors, and a user interfacewhich includes a visual display. In one illustrative embodiment, a voicecall request for a voice call is received through the user interface. Ifthe voice call request is received during an out-of-coverage conditionof the mobile communication device, the processor causes a call denialindication to be displayed in the visual display, which indicates thatthe voice call request could not be completed. The processor also causesa call reminder setup prompt to be displayed, which may be accepted ordeclined through the user interface. If an acceptance of the callreminder setup prompt is received, the processor causes a call reminderprompt for reattempting the voice call request to be displayed when anin-coverage condition of the mobile communication device is subsequentlyidentified. The call reminder prompt, which may be accepted or declinedthrough the user interface, reveals various call information regardingthe previous voice call request such as the telephone number, name, andtime of the previous request. If the call reminder prompt is accepted,the processor causes a voice call associated with the voice call requestto be initiated. Additional call reminder techniques are disclosed toprovide an even more flexible and easy-to-use interface.

In addition, alert methods and apparatus for call appointments in acalendar application based on communication conditions of a mobilecommunication device have been described. Calendar information for anappointment in the calendar application is received and stored inmemory. The calendar information is associated with a date and time ofthe appointment. In response to identifying an out-of-coverage conditionof the mobile communication device within a predetermined time period ofthe date and time of the appointment, a warning indication is producedat a user interface of the mobile communication device. The warningindication may be or include a message which instructs a user of themobile communication device to relocate the mobile communication devicefor removing the out-of-coverage condition, and may also include anaudible or vibrating alert. The warning indication may be provided onlyif wireless coverage is required for the appointment, where a telephonenumber or other suitable call information is identified within thecalendar information.

Finally, methods and apparatus for use in controlling scanningoperations or a scan rate based on call appointments or reminders havebeen described. In one illustrative example, one or more processors of amobile communication device may be operative to identify whether a callappointment or reminder for a communication session to be establishedduring a current time period is stored in the memory, and determine ascan rate for scanning operations of the wireless transceiver whichvaries based on whether the call appointment or reminder for thecommunication session to be established is identified. If the callappointment or reminder for the communication session to be establishedduring the current time period is identified, then the scan rate may bedetermined to be a first scan rate; otherwise the scan rate may bedetermined to be a second scan rate that is less than the first rate.The scan rate may further be determined to vary based on a duration oftime over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitablewireless communication network for communication (e.g. as the durationof time increases, the scan rate decreases). More generally, then,scanning operations and/or the scan rate of the present disclosure isdetermined based on different items which include any stored upcomingappointments requiring wireless service, previous call attempts or callreminders, as well as the time period over which scanning has beenunsuccessful. In a simpler embodiment, a scanning operation is triggeredbased on identifying an imminent appointment or reminder regardless ofthe existing scan rate which is otherwise left unchanged.Advantageously, the scanning procedure is performed so as to reducepower consumption in the mobile communication device withoutcompromising calling ability.

The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are intendedto be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations,modifications and variations to the particular embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the application. The invention describedherein in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitablechanges in technology.

1. A method for use in a mobile communication device for controllingscanning operations, the method comprising: storing a calendarapplication in memory of the mobile communication device, the calendarapplication being configured to receive calendar appointment data whichis associated one or more appointments; and in response to identifying,via the calendar application, an imminent appointment for acommunication session when the mobile communication device isout-of-coverage: performing a scanning operation for identifying awireless communication network for communications.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: refraining from performing the scanningoperation when the mobile communication device identifies no imminentappointment for a communication session.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, via a user interface, the calendarappointment data; and storing the calendar appointment data in thememory, the calendar information including a date and time of the callappointment.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile communicationdevice comprises a cellular telephone.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: performing scanning operations at a scan rate; varying thescan rate to vary based on a duration of time over which repeatedscanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communicationnetwork for communication.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:performing scanning operations at a scan rate; varying the scan ratebased on a predefined relationship with a duration of time over whichrepeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wirelesscommunication network for communication, the predefined relationshipbeing such that, as the duration of time increases, the scan ratedecreases.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: triggering thescanning operation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.8. The method of claim 5, further comprising: leaving the scan rateunchanged despite performing the scanning operation in response toidentifying the imminent appointment.
 9. The method of claim 1, which isperformed in accordance with computer instructions stored in a computerreadable medium and executable by one or more processors of the mobilecommunication device.
 10. A mobile communication device, comprising: oneor more processors; a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to theone or more processors; memory coupled to the one or more processors;the memory being for storing a calendar application, the calendarapplication being configured to receive calendar appointment data whichis associated one or more appointments; and the one or more processorsbeing configured to trigger a scanning operation with use of the RFtransceiver for identifying a wireless communication network forcommunications in response to identifying, via the calendar application,an imminent appointment for a communication session when the mobilecommunication device is out-of-coverage.
 11. The mobile communicationdevice of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to: refrain from triggering the scanning operation when noimminent appointment for a communication session is identified.
 12. Themobile communication device of claim 10, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: receive, via a user interface, thecalendar appointment data; and store the calendar appointment data inthe memory, the calendar information including a date and time of thecall appointment.
 13. The mobile communication device of claim 10,comprising a cellular telephone.
 14. The mobile communication device ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:cause scanning operations to be performed at a scan rate; and varyingthe scan rate based on a duration of time over which repeated scanningoperations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication networkfor communication.
 15. The mobile communication device of claim 10,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: causescanning operations to be performed at a scan rate; and varying the scanrate based on a predefined relationship with a duration of time overwhich repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wirelesscommunication network for communication, the predefined relationshipbeing such that, as the duration of time increases, the scan ratedecreases.
 16. The mobile communication device of claim 14, wherein theone or more processors are further configured to: trigger the scanningoperation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.
 17. Themobile communication device of claim 14, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: leave the scan rate unchangeddespite performing the scanning operation in response to identifying theimminent appointment.
 18. A method for use in a mobile communicationdevice for controlling scanning operations, the method comprising:storing a calendar application in memory of the mobile communicationdevice, the calendar application being configured to receive calendarappointment data which is associated one or more appointments; detectingan out-of-coverage condition; identifying via the calendar applicationan imminent appointment for a communication session; and in response toidentifying the imminent appointment for the communication session whenthe mobile communication device is out-of-coverage: performing ascanning operation for identifying a wireless communication network forcommunications.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:performing scanning operations at a scan rate; and varying the scan ratebased on a predefined relationship with a duration of time over whichrepeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wirelesscommunication network for communication, the predefined relationshipbeing such that, as the duration of time increases, the scan ratedecreases.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: leaving thescan rate unchanged despite triggering the scanning operation inresponse to identifying the imminent appointment.